Taking secrets to the grave

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A Canadian cryptocurrency exchange went to
court on Tuesday to seek bankruptcy protection after its president took passwords
for accounts containing 180m in Canadian dollars to his grave when he
died suddenly. The company had about 115,000 accounts.

In a statement, Vancouver-based QuadrigaCX said it is seeking creditor
protection after weeks of attempting to "locate and secure our very significant
cryptocurrency reserves" following the death of its president Gerald Cotten, aged 30.

The Nova Scotia Supreme Court was to consider the application made by his
widow Jennifer Robertson on behalf of the company.

Ms Robertson said the company has
been unable to access on its main computer the cryptocurrencies.

"I do not know the password or recovery key," Ms Robertson said. "Despite
repeated and diligent searches, I have not been able to find them written down
anywhere."